Despite achieving remarkable sales figures and garnering a vast audience, Monster Hunter Wilds has not escaped scrutiny for its comparatively easier gameplay relative to its predecessors in the series. This accessibility may have made the game more inviting for newcomers; however, long-time Monster Hunter aficionados are expressing a desire for increased challenge. In response, Capcom appears to be listening, as evidenced by recent free updates that introduce formidable challenges, such as battling the High Rank Zoh Shia.
The implementation of new monsters through free updates isn’t a novel concept within the Monster Hunter franchise, with MH World serving as a recent example. However, the introduction of an entirely new hub area in the form of the Grand Hub represents a significant shift. With rumors suggesting the Lagiacrus may be next in line for inclusion, players have begun to notice a conspicuous absence of one particular group of monsters: Elder Dragons. It is possible that Capcom is reserving these iconic creatures for a future expansion, allowing them to build anticipation among its player base.
The Omission of Elder Dragons in Monster Hunter Wilds
The Absence of Traditional Elder Dragons
When reviewing the roster of monsters in MH Wilds, players will quickly note the lack of Elder Dragons, an absence that neither the introductions of Mizutsune nor Lagiacrus will resolve. Instead, the game has unveiled a new category: the Guardians, mechanical creatures exclusive to the Ruins of Wyveria. These Guardians range from reinterpretations of classic monsters—like the Guardian Rathalos—to the revival of extinct species, such as the Arkveld. Despite its role as the flagship monster, the Arkveld remains a Wyvern, gaining distinction solely through its Guardian designation.
Unique to the Arkveld are its two High Rank armor sets, the Guardian Arkveld and the regular Arkveld variations.
Among the notable monsters, Gore Magala serves as one of the climactic encounters in MH Wilds, notorious for spreading the Frenzy Virus. Traditionally classified as an Elder Dragon since its debut in Monster Hunter 4, the monster now occupies a new label: Demi Elder Dragon in Wilds, reflecting a similar threat level to Elder Dragons but allowing for capturing.
The Zoh Shia diverges from the Elder Dragon archetype, embodying a Guardian Construct despite its scale resembling that of Jin Dahaad. This entity possesses unique attributes, exhibiting a threat level akin to Elder Dragons and sharing attack patterns with Fatalis. Nevertheless, it is classified distinctly, which raises questions for the future of expansions.
The Case for Reserving Elder Dragons for the Expansion
Ensuring a Meaningful Difficulty Progression
Should MH Wilds be intentionally omitting Elder Dragons to preserve them for the upcoming expansion, it could mitigate several narrative inconsistencies and ecological disruptions often seen within expansions. When players engage with regular Wyverns that challenge them more than Elder Dragons at Master Rank, the balance feels off—a concern that arose during the Iceborne expansion. This aspect could potentially be addressed in Wilds’ future content.
Iceborne highlighted various powerful non-Elder Dragon threats, including the formidable Rajang, who was shown to combat Kirin. The Guiding Lands, unlocked after defeating the Elder Dragon Velkhana, featured monsters whose risk levels felt more scaled than Yian Garuga’s—a creature traditionally not classified as a significant threat.
To avoid such discrepancies, it would be prudent for MH Wilds to fill its late-game expansion with Elder and Black Dragons, alongside other formidable threats. Iconic monsters like Nergigante, Teostra, and Kirin could dominate the expansion’s mid to late-game playtime, ensuring a well-considered escalation of difficulty while further enriching the experience for new players and veterans alike.
Numerous Alternatives for Free Updates Beyond Elder Dragons
Exploring a Wealth of Options for Capcom
While the potential addition of an Elder Dragon in free updates is tantalizing, Capcom has many other viable options at its disposal. Notably, fan-favorites such as Deviljho and Bazelgeuse—renowned for their ferocity—could excite the community. Alternatively, I personally advocate for the inclusion of Brachydios in the Oilwell Basin, or the Glavenus flaunting its characteristic sword tail.
To date, MH Wilds lacks collaboration monsters, a feature that contributed to fan engagement in previous titles like Monster Hunter World, which saw partnerships with franchises such as Final Fantasy and The Witcher. A return to collaboration could involve incorporating iconic entities like Bahamut or Leviathan from the upcoming FF7 Remake, or new monsters like Archgriffin and Kikimora from The Witcher series. The opportunity for unexpected collaborations—perhaps even with Nintendo, following the success of MH Rise—could lead to innovative gameplay experiences.
Although some players feel that the “true”Monster Hunter experience becomes accessible only at Master Rank—which currently requires an expansion purchase—there is an abundance of content included. By introducing Elder Dragons during the expansion, Capcom can elevate the game’s narrative, enhancing the journey and making the progression of threat levels feel organic and engaging. The references to Fatalis through Zoh Shia amplify anticipation for the inclusion of such significant monsters in future content.